Freedom: "Feds Warrantlessly Tracking Americans? Credit Cards in Real Time"

[Ethersync]

Feds Warrantlessly Tracking Americans? Credit Cards in Real Time

Federal law enforcement agencies have been tracking Americans in real-time using credit cards, loyalty cards and travel reservations without getting a court order, a new document released under a government sunshine request shows.

The document, obtained by security researcher Christopher Soghoian, explains how so-called ?Hotwatch? orders allow for real-time tracking of individuals in a criminal investigation via credit card companies, rental car agencies, calling cards, and even grocery store loyalty programs. The revelation sheds a little more light on the Justice Department?s increasing power and willingness to surveil Americans with little to no judicial or Congressional oversight.

For credit cards, agents can get real-time information on a person?s purchases by writing their own subpoena, followed up by a order from a judge that the surveillance not be disclosed. Agents can also go the traditional route ? going to a judge, proving probable cause and getting a search warrant ? which means the target will eventually be notified they were spied on.

The document suggests that the normal practice is to ask for all historical records on an account or individual from a credit card company, since getting stored records is generally legally easy. Then the agent sends a request for ?Any and all records and information relating directly or indirectly to any and all ongoing and future transactions or events relating to any and all of the following person(s), entitities, account numbers, addresses and other matters?? That gets them a live feed of transaction data.

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/12/realtime/

[seeandsee]

jesus where are we going, do they really need to know all, why is that all immportant to them

[moeloubani]

its to ensure your safety and freedom

[Rochard]

Do every day average citizens really worry about this? Oh wow - they can see where I shop - in real time too! How exciting.

[Ethersync]

Originally Posted by Rochard

Do every day average citizens really worry about this? Oh wow - they can see where I shop - in real time too! How exciting.

You are a government whipped pussy. Could not be more clear by the ignorant posts like this you make.

[SallyRand]

Originally Posted by Rochard

Do every day average citizens really worry about this? Oh wow - they can see where I shop - in real time too! How exciting.

If the average citizens are not worrying about this they should; all brought to you by The Man From Hope And Change!

[Barry-xlovecam]

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

A source of cynicism these days ...

[iggysick]

Originally Posted by Rochard

Do every day average citizens really worry about this? Oh wow - they can see where I shop - in real time too! How exciting.

So you bought huge black dildo yesterday...

[TheDoc]

Originally Posted by SallyRand

If the average citizens are not worrying about this they should; all brought to you by The Man From Hope And Change!

Brought to you buy the patriot act... Hope and Change doesn't really have anything to do with this and it doesn't mean everything is going to change that you don't like or agree with.